Importance

When you are going through a divorce, there is a lot of information you need to share with your divorce attorney. You also need to strike a balance between sharing all relevant information and not communicating unnecessarily, since every email, phone call, and text message can increase the cost of the divorce.

Communicating with Your Divorce Lawyer

It is important for you to understand from your very first visit that anything they tell your attorney is confidential. The information will not and cannot be divulged to anyone else.

This is an important concept since the attorney needs to know everything so there are no surprises from the opposition. Almost every divorce has some difficult issue, something that the client may not realize is important or is simply reluctant to share the information.

For example, maybe you have had trouble with your income tax return or haven’t filed for a few years. You need to share that information with your attorney so your attorney can deal with it. The issue will come up and it will reflect poorly on you if your attorney is blind-sided with the information during, or shortly before, a court hearing.

How Often and How Should I Contact My Attorney?

How often you contact your attorney depends on where you are in the case. At the beginning of the process, when you are focusing on things like a statement of net worth, you will communicate more often. As the case is winding down and near the final order of dissolution, there will be fewer things to discuss.

The most efficient way to communicate is by email, text, or phone. If you receive a communication from your attorney, respond quickly. Do not go “missing in action.” Your attorney needs to hear from you to move the case along.

Learning to Communicate with Your Soon-to-Be Ex-Spouse

At the beginning of the process, in some cases, your attorney acts as a go-between between you and your spouse. As the case nears the finish line, your attorney will encourage you to learn how to talk to your soon-to-be ex-spouse. That way, you do not run up future legal bills. Besides, your attorney will not be in your life forever and you need to learn how to speak with your ex without the conversation taking a negative turn.  

For answers about communicating with soon to be ex and with your divorce attorney, or other questions you may have about the divorce process, contact us at Rosenthal & Markowitz, LLP. You may also call us at 914.347.1292.